Corporate Accounting, Disclosure and CSR Policy

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has tackled policy issues in relation to corporate accounting, disclosure and corporate social responsibility through establishing platforms for communication between a variety of stakeholders such as companies, investors, academics and so on. In addition, we facilitate discussions with the aim of proposing better systems for Japanese society and the economy.

CSR Policy

With the increasing global expansion of businesses, Japanese companies now face previously unforeseen challenges related to issues such as Business and Human Rights, responsible supply chain management, and bribery, etc.
An examination of the domestic business environment also reinforces that an aging population and shrinking labor force are also significant issues for Japanese companies.
So, companies are trying to reshape societal challenges into management strategies to create sustainable corporate value and get ahead of international competition.
There are 2 important aspects to Japan’s strategic CSR policy.
First, we emphasize understanding societal challenges which companies are tackling.
Second, we encourage corporate activities which reshape societal challenges into management strategies .
For details, see the following reference.

On November 7 and 8, 2016, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Directorate General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) jointly held the third EU-Japan Working Group on Corporate Social Responsibility (EU-Japan CSR WG) in Brussels and discussed Japan-EU cooperation in the field of corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Surveys/Business Initiatives

CSR Forum Japan

The CSR Forum Japan is a business initiative promoting corporate social responsibility, which was founded in 2004 with the support of METI. Consisting of leading multinational corporations with a strong interest in CSR, the forum is one of Japan’s most highly-regarded business networks in Japan. The forum conducts a variety of annual studies and has formed productive affiliations with relevant national and international organizations since its establishment.

Survey of Enterprises’ CSR Challenges and Management (May 23, 2014)

METI conducted a comprehensive survey regarding current challenges of corporate social responsibility (CSR), which may have a huge impact on business activities. In the survey, METI conducted research in order to ascertain case examples of Japanese enterprises' CSR activities, CSR strategies of overseas enterprises, and the current situation of international frameworks in relation to CSR. METI compiled the results of the survey into a report, titled “Report on a Survey of Enterprises’ CSR Challenges in Global Business and Management.”